Hands to Work, Heart to God

Building a figurative and literal road in El Salvador with Diomass companeros in the Mission Leadership Program (June 16-26, 2007) was a pivotal spiritual experience for me. I returned home committed to facilitating global mission in and from our small island parish. We have often taken pretty good “care of our own,” but we had rarely extended our baptismal covenant beyond the Vineyard’s shores. St. Andrew’s, Edgartown, made its first group mission trip in April of 2008, following in the footsteps of countless faithful others, to America’s Gulf Coast. (See http://bulletins-from-biloxi.blogspot.com)

I also returned home called to make a more personal commitment to mission and applied to The Episcopal Church’s Mission Personnel Office for a longer-term assignment. While in discernment, with the encouragement of good friends, Diomass’ Jubilee Ministry and Samaritans Now, I contacted Drs. Gerry and Nan Hardison in Maseno, Kenya. “What’s it like to be an ‘older’ missioner?” I naively emailed. “Come and see,” Nan gently replied. Miracles began to unfold, and I spent five weeks, from Thanksgiving through Christmas, witnessing their remarkable efforts in East Africa. (See http://heart-to-god.blogspot.com)

Two days after my return to the U.S., all hell quite literally broke loose in Kenya. Two months of violence erupted after the national elections there, resulting in untold deaths, rapes, misery, and losses of homes and livelihoods. An uneasy peace has returned to the country, but the disruption of food, supplies and medications has created a sadly predictable aftermath. HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and malnutrition are not new to Kenya; however, the sick really have gotten sicker, and the poor really have gotten poorer. Inflation is rampant, children are dying from hunger, and hope is now turning to despair.

The Hardisons and Bishop Simon Oketch have invited me back to work in the Diocese of Maseno North. The Episcopal Church has commissioned me as a Volunteer in Mission. (See http://www.episcopalchurch.org/30703_ENG_HTM.htm) It will be a privilege to return, with God’s help and many prayers, as a nurse-missioner in October 2008. Jesus said, “Love one another.” St. Benedict wrote, “Listen with the ear of your heart.” And Bishop Barahona of El Salvador explained, “Walk with us, hand in hand.” May their words of hope and oblation (“We offer our selves, our souls and bodies…”) inspire us all.

My stethoscope is packed, my heart is open, and my very humble walking shoes are on. Amani ya mungo/peace to the world – one heart, one step and two hands at a time.

Dianne Smith, RN - St. Andrew's, Edgartown